Album

Although Alan Bush's fervent advocacy of communism in the 1930s brought him considerable international attention, his politics later adversely harmed his reputation as one of Britain's leading composers; despite support from sympathetic musicians, among them Britten and Vaughan Williams, Bush and his music were seriously discounted during the Cold War years. This 2004 release is part of a reassessment of Bush's output, starting with the Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 21 (1940), and the Symphony No. 2, Op. 33, "The Nottingham" (1949), the first two of four symphonies. The severe Symphony No. 1 smacks somewhat of Shostakovich in militaristic mode, though the bellicose tone surely was common among composers in World War II and is not a liability. What is most frustrating, however, is Bush's forced, "populist" simplicity, which puts a damper on the free development of ideas and pushes the music too far into bombastic repetition. The programmatic Symphony No. 2 is more relaxed and genial; in portraying Sherwood Forest and environs, Bush displays more atmospheric orchestral colors, sweeter harmonies, and gentler melodies than in the previous work. Douglas Bostock and the Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra deliver well-rounded performances with fine sound quality, so this disc is an enjoyable introduction to Bush's unfairly neglected music.

© Blair Sanderson, Rovi

CD 1
Alan Bush Composer Symphony No.1 in C, Op.21 Work 32:54 Douglas Bostock Conductor, Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra Orchestra
1	Prologue. Grave	5:57			$0.99
2	1.Allegro molto	10:25			$1.99
3	2.Lento molto - Largo	9:53			$1.49
4	3.Allegro moderato e deciso	6:39			$0.99
Alan Bush Composer Symphony No.2, Op.33 ("The Nottingham") Work 38:20 Douglas Bostock Conductor, Royal Northern College of Music Symphony Orchestra Orchestra
5	1.Sherwood Forest. Moderato - Allegro vivace	9:19			$1.49
6	2.Clifton Grove. Largo	11:13			$1.99
7	3.Castle Rock. Allegro molto	5:30			$0.99
8	4.Goose Fair. Allegro moderato	12:18			$1.99